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Expression of a chitinase transgene in rose (Rosa hybrida L.) reduces development of blackspot disease (Diplocarpon rosae Wolf)

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Abstract

Blackspot, caused by the Ascomycete fungus Diplocarpon rosae, is the most widespread and pernicious disease of cultivated roses. While some species of rose possess resistance to D. rosae, none of the modern-day rose cultivars are fully resistant to the pathogen. In the current study, Biolistic gene delivery was used to introduce a rice gene, encoding a basic (Class I), chitinase into embryogenic callus of the blackspot-susceptible rose (Rosa hybrida L.) cv. Glad Tidings. The plasmid used for transformation carried the neomycin phosphotransferase (nptII) gene facilitating the selection and regeneration of transgenic plants on medium containing 250 mg/l kanamycin. Southern analysis confirmed integration of 2–6 copies of the chitinase gene into the rose genome; gene expression was confirmed by enzyme assay. Bioassays demonstrated that expression of the chitinase transgene reduced the severity of blackspot development by 13–43%. This degree of resistance to the pathogen correlated with the level of chitinase expression in the transgenic rose plants. The introduction of disease defence genes into rose provides a method of producing blackspot-resistant rose cultivars sought by breeders and growers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Plant Genetic Manipulation Group, Department of Life Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK (author for correspondance; fax

    Robert Marchant, Michael R. Davey & J. Brian Power

  2. IACR-Long Ashton Research Station, Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Bristol, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS18 9AF, UK

    John A. Lucas

  3. Plant Biology Division, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA

    Chris J. Lamb

  4. Plant Biology Division, Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, P.O. Box 2180, Ardmore, OK, 73402, USA

    Richard A. Dixon

Authors
  1. Robert Marchant
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  2. Michael R. Davey
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  3. John A. Lucas
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  4. Chris J. Lamb
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  5. Richard A. Dixon
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  6. J. Brian Power
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Marchant, R., Davey, M.R., Lucas, J.A. et al. Expression of a chitinase transgene in rose (Rosa hybrida L.) reduces development of blackspot disease (Diplocarpon rosae Wolf). Molecular Breeding 4, 187–194 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009642707505

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